Title

Author

Abstract

In reconstruction of on-roadway vehicle accidents, roadway surface gouges and the forces and energy attributed to the related vehicle components become important keys to resolving an accurate accident reconstruction. These roadway gouge forces vary depending upon such factors as surface temperature and the velocity and geometry of the gouging mechanism. Accounting for the forces applied to vehicle components and the energy dissipated from such forces can be helpful in accident reconstruction where supporting data exists. This research documents the force necessary to create a given roadway gouge geometry. Controlled pavement gouging tests were performed using roadway surface temperature and gouging velocity as main factors. The results of this testing and analysis are useful in quantifying gouge forces and energies for use in accident reconstruction. The findings show that the temperature of the roadway surface that is being damaged significantly affects the amount of force required to cause the damage. A summary of experiments and techniques as applied to accident reconstruction are presented.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology; Mechanical Engineering